What to Expect in Breastfeeding If You’re a First-Time Mother

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Breastfeeding is a special experience between a mother and a child, not only because it’s healthier and cheaper than baby formula, it’s also good for both the mother and the child.

It’s Okay if You Can’t Breastfeed

Doctors and nutritionists will advise mothers to breastfeed their newborns for up to two years, some mothers cannot breastfeed even if they want to. However, this does not mean that you are not a good mother because there are various factors that can lead to this.

Most women cannot breastfeed if they have had breast reduction surgery or they have breast implants or double mastectomy, there is not enough glandular tissue (called hypoplasia), the nipples are inverted, or if there is an infection or inflammation of the breasts called mastitis, and if the mother has poor milk supply.

Breastfeeding is a Learned Skill

There are techniques on how to breastfeed baby properly and diet guides to stay healthy and to produce more milk for the baby.

Before your due date, you should prepare for the wonderful journey ahead by consulting a lactation expert, staying healthy as much possible, and to avoid giving your baby formula, food, pacifiers, and artificial nipples. As a first-time mom, it’s best to start breastfeeding after birth as soon as possible and to breastfeed as often as possible.

You Should Breastfeed as Often as Possible

So, how do you know if the baby needs to be breastfed? Doctors will advise you to breastfeed as often as possible especially during baby’s first few weeks. Some mothers are advised to breastfeed as often as twelve times daily.

You can schedule the feedings between one or two hours until your baby has developed his/her own feeding habits. There is no standard for how long each breastfeeding session should last because the baby will let you know if he/she is full.

Know How to Make the Baby Latch Properly

There are techniques to make sure that the baby latches on properly during feeding. Some babies will have a hard time practicing during the first few tries, but others will latch on right away, so don’t worry if you don’t get it the first time.

Hold the baby upright by supporting the neck or shoulders with your one hand and the baby’s hips with the other. The baby’s head should be tilted slightly, and you can use a blanket to help support baby’s back until you find the most comfortable position for you both.

Stay Healthy and Take Care of Your Breasts

There are days when your milk supply will be low, but other times you will also have an oversupply of milk. Sometimes milk buildup can cause engorgement which can be painful for some mothers, while other also experience plugged ducts.

While these can be resolved with proper breastfeeding habits, you should also look out for breast infection (mastitis) and fungal infections. Keep a healthy diet and make sure to bathe everyday and wear clean clothing. If there are signs of infection, consult your doctor right away to get treated.

Common High Blood Pressure Disorders During Pregnancy

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It is true what they say about putting your life on the line when you are carrying a child. Anything can go wrong during the nine-month journey that will endanger both the mother and the baby despite the better healthcare practices and diagnostic tools we have today. One such common problem that is on the rise are the cases of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy. Let’s examine each type below.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia not only manifests as the elevation of blood pressure, but it can also affect multiple organs in the body. This is notable in the presence of protein in the urine or proteinuria during the 20th week of gestation. Preeclampsia is prominent in first-time mothers or those who have hypertension, kidney issues, immune system disorders, and those older than 40 years.

The blood pressure level must be at least 140/90 mm Hg and there should be a presence of protein in the urine of at least 300 mg to be diagnosed with preeclampsia. Other symptoms include edema, visual disturbances, cyanosis, impaired liver function, fetal growth restriction, and epigastric pain or right-upper quadrant pain.

Gestational Hypertension

This was previously named pregnancy-induced hypertension because it happens after 20 weeks of gestation. A pregnant woman will be diagnosed with this condition if the elevated blood pressure is at least 140/po mm Hg and there are no signs of preeclampsia. This also means that the doctors must first rule out preeclampsia if there is elevated blood pressure but there are no other symptoms after the 12th week of postpartum.

Unlike preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension means that there is no protein in the urine, organ damage, and other symptoms. However, there are still a lot of women who develop preeclampsia between the 24th and 35th weeks of gestation after having been diagnosed with gestational hypertension.

Chronic Hypertension

This condition is characterized by elevated high blood pressure even before the pregnancy. However, it can also start at the 20th week of pregnancy or the 12th postpartum week. A blood pressure of 179/109 mm Hg or less is considered mild hypertension, while a blood pressure of 180/110 mm HG or more is considered severe.

Most of the women who suffer from this are in their late childbearing stage. Although this is less severe than preeclampsia, chronic hypertension can still cause intrauterine growth restriction. The current medication might be changed especially if you are using a beta-blocker to avoid small birth weight for the baby, while ACE inhibitors may cause congenital defects in babies.

Chronic Hypertension with Superimposed Preeclampsia

Women who have hypertension before pregnancy are at risk of suffering from preeclampsia. The high blood pressure gets worse and there are signs of damage to the other organs. These cases are treated the same way patients with preeclampsia are treated to avoid complications.